Category: World Congress of Sports

Here are some recent mentions of people you’ll at the World Congress of Sports, which will be held April 19-20 at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif.:

Michael Rubin, Fanatics: There was lots of news about Rubin and Fanatics, starting with Editor-at-Large Terry Lefton breaking the news that Fanatics was buying VF’s Licensed Sports Group, which has held exclusive MLB jersey rights since 2005.

As Lefton wrote:

The move continues Fanatics’ rollup of licensing rights, e-commerce operations, along with brick-and-mortar venue sales, and a push into a vertical arrangement, within which it controls much of the sports-licensing business from end to end.

Licensing industry sources today were still assessing the meaning of the deal and had more questions than answers. Fanatics’ already pervasive influence over the licensed-sports industry just increased exponentially with the addition of domestic manufacturing capabilities. However, an industry source said, “The industry just got smaller. Does this mean Fanatics will purchase from fewer licensees?”

Finally, the Daily rounded up reports that MLB will keep work at the Majestic facility in Pennsylvania as part of the deal. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the “symbolism” of MLB gear being made in the U.S. is “really important to our brand.” Read the full report.

Rubin will speak as part of the powerhouse opening panel on Day 1 of the conference.

As we approach each of our events, I like to keep an eye on how our speakers are making news across the industry.

Here are some recent mentions of speakers at our World Congress of Sports, which will be held April 19-20 at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif.:

Val Ackerman: The Big East commissioner was named to the board of directors of the U.S. Soccer Federation. Ackerman is part of the opening roundtable on Day 1.

John Angelos: The Baltimore Orioles EVP, who will appear on our regional sports network panel on Day 1 of the conference, said he doesn’t want to see President Donald Trump throw a first pitch at Camden Yards this season. During a B-More Opinionated podcast, Angelos talked about some of the president’s more inflammatory statements, and said, “It’s really incumbent upon any individual who leads the country to step away from those types of statements, to apologize for those statements and retract them. … Until that happens, it wouldn’t be my preference to have the president come throw a pitch.” Read Dan Steinberg’s story in the Washington Post, or listen to the podcast.

Don Garber: The MLS commissioner, who is on the opening panel for Day 2, talked last week with the St. Louis Post Dispatch about today’s stadium referendum: “I’m very confident that if we’re able to go forward here, all that energy behind bringing MLS to St. Louis for many, many years will be fulfilled.”

Sunil Gulati: The U.S. Soccer Federation added a new policy to its bylaws, calling for players to “stand respectfully” during the playing of the National Anthem at any event in which the USSF “is represented,” according to FoxSports.com’s Stuart Holden. USSF President Sunil Gulati said that there are “no preset consequences,” and the policy “would be addressed as it happens.” Not everyone was happy with the new policy, with some commentators calling it “misguided.” Read The Daily’s report on the issue. Gulati will join Garber on the Day 2 soccer panel.

Ted Leonsis: Shortly after Capitals star left wing Alex Ovechkin said he was going to the Olympics with or without the NHL’s blessing, Capitals owner Leonsis stood behind his star (see story in the National Post), leading many to think that other owners were likely to follow suit. Leonsis, ever the trailblazer, will appear with his son, Zach, in a video interview with SBJ media writer John Ourand on Day 1 of the event. They’ll talk about their leadership of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, including views on team ownership, media strategies, corporate partnerships and the role of team owners in the community.

Leonsis also made our ’Twitter Me This” feature after Ovechkin recorded his 17th career hat trick:

If you were in Minny last night and tossed your cap. I will send you a replacement. I do this every year it seems. https://t.co/ZOyWwwWLaY